Which is the most prominent marriage system in the world?

Correct answer: Monogamy. Monogamy, marriage to one spouse at a time, is the most widespread marriage system.

Background: Marriage systems are named by the number of spouses: mono = one, bi = two, poly = many.

• Bigamy: Bigamy (having two spouses) is illegal in most countries.
• Polyandry: Polyandry (one wife with several husbands) is very rare.
• Exogamy: Exogamy is a rule of marrying outside one’s own group, not the main marriage system.

Did you know? “Monogamy” comes from the Greek monos (one) and gamos (marriage).

Memory trick: Mono = one, like a monorail running on one rail.